What is Screen Time?

Screen time includes the use of  Smart phones, tablets, television, computer and video games. Children are using screen devices, such as tablets and Smart phones, at an alarming rate. Studies have shown, that up to 75% of children have their own tablet device and 68% of children under 2 years old use a screen device for an average of 2 hours each day.

Is Screen Time Really that Bad for Children?

Studies are showing that if children get too much screen time, it may impact their physical and emotional development. When children are using screen devices for hours on end, this can lead to delayed language development and motor skills, poor academic performance, obesity, and bad sleep habits.

Screen Time Guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• NO screen time for children under the age of 18 months.
• 18-24 months old: Only educational and age-appropriate content.
• 2- 5 years old: One hour each day. 
• Above 5 years old: Two hours each day. 

What Does Research Say?

According to Webster et al. (2019), developing gross motor and fine motor skills are important developmental movement patterns gained in early childhood. Having gross motor and fine motor skills has a direct relationship with physical activity in childhood (Webster et al., 2019). Recent studies have revealed that preschoolers are demonstrating low levels of physical activity and are engaging in about 120 minutes of physical activity per day (Webster et al., 2019). Young children are frequently engaging in more sedentary behaviors, including activities involving screen-time. Using screen devices for a prolonged period of time may contribute to decreased participation in physical activity and motor skills development in later childhood (Webster et al., 2019).

A study by Rocha and Nunes (2020), revealed whether there are positive or negative effects may depend on the type of activities children are engaging in when using the electronic device (Rocha & Nunes, 2020). When children are using educative software that is age-appropriate in their daily routine, this can further promote their learning. Some studies revealed that children who engaged in non-educational content for longer periods of time demonstrated increased negative behavior and temperament (Rocha & Nunes, 2020).

A clip from Good Morning America features a married couple with three young children who want to experiment with allowing their children to have unlimited screen time access for 1 week. When each child had unlimited access to their screen devices, they experienced disrupted sleeping and eating habits, and behavioral changes including fighting with one another and having tantrums. Each child spent an average of 5 hours of screen time each day, despite eventually choosing other activities to engage in throughout the week. 

Breaking the Screen Habit

Now, if you are a parent or a caregiver of children, you are probably thinking: “Well, I have SO much to get done at home today! I have to cook dinner, clean the dishes, wash and fold piles of laundry, and vacuum! I need to keep the kids entertained and out of my hair somehow!” And those are completely valid thoughts. The purpose of this blog post is to raise awareness of the potential developmental effects of screen time on children and how to incorporate ways to break that habit and get children back to engaging in purposeful play. 

Helpful Tips:

• Keep any screen devices (TVs, computers, tablets, etc.) out of your child’s bedroom
• Turn off devices (including the TV!) during meal times. 
• Set a good example by limiting your own screen time. 
• Set a time limit for screen time use.
• Promote active play, such as engaging in sports, exploring outside, reading, or playing games. 

It is important to be aware of the potential effects that screen devices have on the physical and emotional development of children. I hope this blog post is a useful tool in forming a better understanding on the importance of unplugging the technology, and engaging in play!

References:

Good Morning America. (2018, July 17). What happens when you give your kids unlimited screen time? [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkiWS0fmnt0.